A truck driver was electrocuted as he tried to drive his heavy vehicle under 11 kV ZESA lines at Thomson Farm in Beatrice, on Tuesday 9 August.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Mashonaland East Province Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi confirmed the incident to The Mirror.
He said at around 2 PM, Funny Kunze (38), of Dzivarasekwa 3, Harare, was driving a truck registration number HH45BSBP and a trailer carrying an excavator from South Africa to Thomson Farm in Beatrice.
He was in the company of two passengers, Brain Nyakabwi (34) and Lillian Veremu (36).
Kunze was reportedly warned against passing under a Zimbabwe Electricity, Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) 11 kV line to get to the farm.
As the truck passed, the excavator got tangled on one of the lines, and the driver stopped.
All the three got out of the vehicle safely through the driver’s door.
However, Kunze realised that the vehicle’s engine was running and returned to the truck and was electrocuted as he tried to open the door. He suffered burns.
The matter was reported to ZRP Beatrice, and the body was taken to Chitungwiza Hospital for postmortem.
More: Chipinge Times